NEWBURGH – The Save the Ferry Coalition’s ambitious plan to raise funds to revive the Newburgh-Beacon Ferry once seemed like a long shot, destined to sink in the choppy waters of the Hudson River.
However, supporters hope the ferry will operate again, albeit on a smaller scale.
The Orange County Industrial Development Agency (OCIDA) has pledged up to $100,000 to support a Newburgh-Beacon weekend ferry pilot program, said IDA Executive Director Bill Fioravanti.
“We want both sides of the Hudson to benefit,” Fioravanti said. “We see it as a great opportunity, something that is going to help not just Beacon and the City of Newburgh, but build on the momentum we have here in Orange County all together.”
The pilot, proposed by Save the Ferry in the wake of the loss of the MTA’s ferry service for commuters, would operate a trial of seasonal weekend service. It is intended to demonstrate demand for ferry transit, strengthen cross-Hudson connectivity, and generate data to inform long-term ferry restoration efforts.
The pilot could begin in June, but its launch will depend on generating additional funding, which is not guaranteed.
The OCIDA’s funding will be structured as a matching commitment and dispensed by its sister agency, the Orange County Funding Corp. The matching commitment structure allows the IDA to leverage additional public and private investment. The coalition is actively seeking matching funds from Dutchess County and state and local elected officials to ensure shared commitment to this valuable economic and cultural preservation project.
The pilot is expected to drive visitor spending, enhance regional connectivity, and position the area for future transportation and economic development investment.
The Newburgh-Beacon ferry service was discontinued by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 2025, leaving both commuters and tourists with fewer affordable transit options between New York City and the Hudson Valley. The termination of service also marked the end of 238 years of ferry traffic on the Hudson River, a pillar of Orange County’s economy, history, and culture.
This weekend, ferry pilot is an incremental step for restoring and improving the MTA-funded ferry service,” said Naomi Hersson-Ringskog, a Save the Ferry Coalition member. “Orange County IDA immediately saw the need to capture data on the ferry’s impact and value for economic development, tourism, and improved quality of life in both communities and beyond. Doing it in partnership with Orange County IDA, Orange County Tourism, and other partners will make it a resounding success.”
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